Applicant withdraws Vaughn Lane subdivision; commission accepts withdrawal

The Cranston City Planning Commission on Oct. 7 accepted an applicant's request to withdraw a proposed project on Vaughn Lane.

Attorney Tamesa Azar, representing the applicant, told the commission, "we ask that, I guess, you accept our withdrawal, and then we'd come back with, a new project." Neighbors' counsel Steven Sliphol said the abutters understood the filing to be a withdrawal rather than a continuance, and asked the record reflect that any future filing would be a new application.

The commission heard brief remarks from commissioners during which Commissioner Lanphier asked Azar to confirm the withdrawal and that any subsequent submittal would be a new application. Azar replied, "this will be a new application for the same property." Commissioner Rizzoli thanked residents for their involvement and said withdrawal without prejudice would allow a redesigned proposal to return. Vice President Coop moved to accept the withdrawal; Commissioner Renzulli seconded. The motion carried on a voice vote.

Neighbors' attorney Steven Sliphol said he and his clients had reviewed the applicant's letter and did not object to withdrawal so long as it was clear the matter was over and any future submittal would be a new application. The commission confirmed there was no public comment online on the withdrawal request.

The commission did not take any substantive action on a redesigned or amended project at the meeting; staff and the applicant indicated the applicant intends to return with a new submission.

Next steps: the applicant will prepare a new application and materials for the commission's review; no date was set for resubmittal during the meeting.